OPM Veterans' Preference guide
U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Check current terms: Individual eligibility, seats and coverage must be confirmed with the provider.
Before you decide
- What is free
- Free explainer.
- Costs or benefits needed
- Free.
- Who qualifies
- Veterans who meet preference criteria; some derived preference for family members.
- What you get
- Explains federal veterans' preference (0, 5 and 10 points), how to claim it and which documents you need.
- Credential and key limits
- Explainer page, not a program.
- Format
- Online.
- Deadline
- Ongoing.
- Details checked
- 2026-10-17
Application and credential details
- How to apply
- Check which preference category applies to you.
- Gather your DD-214 and, for 10-point preference, the SF-15 and supporting documents.
- Application link
- Open official page
- Credential or outcome
- Explainer page, not a program.
- Application details checked
- 2026-10-17
- Sources for these details
- https://www.opm.gov/fedshirevets/current-veteran-employees/veterans-preference/ — checked 2026-10-17
- Availability limits
- Dates and public application pages do not guarantee an open intake or available seats. Confirm current terms with the provider.